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Accra – Aug. 27 – 24HourNews – Ghana’s Black Sharks have been handed a tough West African derby against Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles in the second round of the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The draw, confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday, August 25, after the official draw in Egypt, will see the two rivals battle for a place at the continental tournament to be hosted in Senegal.
Ghana, one of the seeded teams in the qualifying draw, will host the first leg between October 9-11, before travelling to Nigeria for the return leg scheduled for October 16-18, 2026.
The stakes are high. The 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON will not only crown Africa’s champion but will also serve as the qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with both finalists securing tickets.
It is a clash of contrasting histories. Nigeria are two-time African champions, having won the tournament in 2007 and 2009, and are the second most successful side in the competition’s history behind Senegal. The Super Sand Eagles have also reached the quarter-finals of the Beach Soccer World Cup twice, in 2007 and 2011.
However, the Nigerians are seeking a comeback. They missed the last edition in Egypt in 2024 after a dramatic exit to Mauritania on the away-goals rule following a 10-10 aggregate draw. They won the first leg 5-4 in Nouakchott but lost 6-5 at home in Kaduna. That setback led the NFF to revive the national beach soccer programme in 2024 after a five-year hiatus.
For Ghana, it is a chance to return to the continental stage. The technical team of the Black Sharks is expected to announce a squad for camping in the coming weeks as preparations begin for the crucial tie.
The Black Sharks were christened in 2013 and have been knocking on the door of World Cup qualification in recent years. The team will be hoping home advantage in the first leg will prove decisive before the difficult trip to Nigeria.
Senegal will host the 2026 finals for the second time after previously hosting in 2021. Senegal are the record five-time winners and have won the last five consecutive editions.